Why Revision is a Multi-Step Process

The 2015 “Now What?” Months are here! Throughout January and February, we’ll be bringing you editing, revision, and publishing advice from all corners of the publishing world. Today, Lexie Dunne, author of Superheroes Anonymous, tells us about the freedom that comes with revising alone:

My first NaNoWriMo, I was ancient—all of eighteen and very, very green. So green, in fact, that I didn’t understand the rules and didn’t know I needed to verify my word count. So while I crossed the finish line, I didn’t technically win. Six years and several official wins later, November had become an excuse to never sleep, hang out on the forums, drink far too much caffeine at write-ins, and drive myself to madness. In short, it was my favorite month of the year.

Superheroes Anonymous was my 2008 novel, so my memory of it is a little fuzzy. I do remember that I ignored the recommended rest period and kept writing. By December 10, I had a completed manuscript that was even messier than my apartment after a month of neglect and takeout meals…